Joel Smith

Joel Smith is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Florida State University, where the focus is on the synthesis of complex natural products, reaction invention, medicinal chemistry of neuroactive small molecules, and rocket science since July 2018. Prior to this role, Joel served as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Scripps Research Institute from May 2015 to July 2018 and as a Graduate Student Researcher at UCLA from July 2010 to March 2015, concentrating on the total synthesis of akuammiline alkaloids. Joel began as an Undergraduate Researcher at Furman University from 2008 to June 2010, where the development and optimization of a synthetic route to the natural product Hibiscone C were accomplished. Education includes a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from UCLA and a BS in Chemistry and Music from Furman University.